By Bob Allen Jesus’ command to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” sounds straightforward, but a new book by a Baptist scholar says the line between religion and politics isn’t…
BJC lawyer examines church’s role in civil marriage
By Bob Allen A Baptist religious-liberty lawyer says recent debate over the definition of marriage reveals a long-overlooked mingling between church and state. Hollyn Hollman, general counsel of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, noted in a recent article…
Baptist leaders ponder if protests are a social movement or a moment
By Jeff Brumley Frustrating to social activists, both inside and outside of churches, is how many protest campaigns last about as long as the average American attention span. “I think about Rodney King and moments in our history when we…
Group asks Louisiana governor to drop endorsement of prayer rally
By Bob Allen Americans United for Separation of Church and State criticized Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Dec. 18 for using his official letterhead to invite residents to an evangelical prayer rally. “These are historic and defining times, a new world…
Baptist groups aid Syrian refugees through winter
By Leah Allen and Jeff Brumley Baptist and government agencies are stepping up efforts to help Syrian war refugees who are facing a brutal winter. With some 9 million Syrians displaced from their homes, and 3.3 million living in refugee…
Triple-murder suspect now eligible for death penalty
By Bob Allen A grand jury in Manatee County, Fla., has indicted 33-year-old Andres “Andy” Avalos Jr. on three counts of first-degree murder for the killing of his wife, a Southern Baptist pastor and a third person in a violent spree…
Georgia Baptists support fire chief suspended over homosexuality
By Bob Allen Leaders of the Georgia Baptist Convention launched an online petition demanding reinstatement of a fire chief suspended for writing a religious book critical of homosexuality. Last month Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced a 30-day suspension of Atlanta…
Virginia church sees album as missional way to live its calling
By Jeff Brumley All Souls Charlottesville is a Baptist church in Virginia where ancient church practices are embraced, from focusing on hospitality and following the liturgical calendar to embracing creeds and celebrating the Eucharist. But spiritual formation took on a…
Majority of Americans believe in Virgin Birth, poll shows
By Bob Allen Nearly three-fourths of U.S. adults (73 percent) expressed belief in the Virgin Birth in a Pew Research poll released Dec. 15 indicating that most Americans believe the Christmas stories in the Bible are historically true. Similar numbers…
SBC president calls for racial healing
By Bob Allen Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd urged members of America’s second-largest faith group behind Roman Catholics to reaffirm their opposition to racism and injustice in a Dec. 15 statement endorsed by ethnic leaders. “Southern Baptists have always…
CBF helps sponsor first 5-day spiritual academy in Cuba
By Bob Allen Thirty participants from various denominations convened in November for the first Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation ever held in Cuba. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Florida CBF helped sponsor the enrichment event, which is a ministry of…
Baptist chaplains eye growing openness to discussion of death
By Jeff Brumley Broaching the subject of death can be a serious downer in a society obsessed with beauty, health and long life. But there are signs that may be starting to change. “There are more people who are talking…